Navi Mumbai: The long-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) officially began operations on Thursday, marking a new chapter in India’s aviation infrastructure. The first aircraft to touch down at the new facility was an IndiGo Airbus A320 arriving from Bengaluru at 8 am, greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute. Just 40 minutes later, at 8.40 am, the airport witnessed its first departure flight taking off to Hyderabad, signaling the start of commercial operations.

The inauguration of NMIA positions Mumbai alongside global aviation hubs such as London, New York, Moscow, Tokyo, and Shanghai, cities that rely on multiple airports to manage increasing air traffic. According to airport authorities, NMIA is designed to ease congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and accommodate growing domestic and international travel demands.

On its first day of operations, December 25, the airport managed 15 departure flights to various destinations across India. This is set to expand rapidly: from December 26 onwards, NMIA will operate approximately 25 scheduled daily departures, with plans to increase this to 40 flights per day by the end of January 2026. The key carriers operating from the airport include IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express.

IndiGo, India’s largest airline by passenger volume, announced that it will connect Navi Mumbai to major cities including New Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Nagpur, Mangalore, Kochi, and Goa, among others. The airline’s presence at NMIA is expected to form the backbone of the airport’s initial flight operations, catering to both business and leisure travelers.

Akasa Air, which has been expanding rapidly in India’s domestic aviation market, also began its operations from NMIA. The airline is currently operating 35 daily flights from Navi Mumbai and the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Initially, Akasa’s flights from NMIA will cover key destinations such as Delhi and North Goa, followed by Kochi, with Ahmedabad being added on a weekly basis. The airline has ambitious plans to operate up to 300 domestic and 50 international flights per week from Navi Mumbai, reflecting its strategy to leverage the new airport for both domestic and overseas connectivity.

Air India Express also commenced operations from NMIA on the very first day. The airline’s flights will provide direct connections from Navi Mumbai to Bangalore and New Delhi, enhancing regional connectivity and offering travelers more options for convenient access. Air India Express highlighted its commitment to connecting more cities, providing greater access, and improving connectivity across India, reinforcing NMIA’s strategic importance in the country’s aviation network.

The opening of NMIA represents a significant milestone in India’s infrastructure development. The airport’s first-phase operations are expected to handle up to 40 departures per day, with future expansions likely to increase both domestic and international connectivity. NMIA is part of a broader vision to decongest Mumbai’s primary airport while promoting Navi Mumbai as a major aviation hub.

Officials noted that NMIA is equipped with modern facilities and state-of-the-art airside and terminal infrastructure. This includes advanced air traffic management systems, spacious terminals, and enhanced passenger amenities to ensure a seamless travel experience. The airport is expected to gradually scale up operations, accommodating high passenger volumes while maintaining operational efficiency and safety standards.

The successful commencement of NMIA operations has been welcomed by both airlines and industry observers, who see it as a critical step toward improving India’s aviation ecosystem. With the addition of daily flights by IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express, passengers in the Mumbai metropolitan region now have alternative options for travel, helping reduce congestion and providing more direct connections to major cities across India.

As NMIA continues to ramp up its operations, it is expected to play a key role in supporting the country’s growing demand for air travel, while serving as a gateway for both domestic and international passengers. With a target of 40 daily departures in its first phase and plans for significant future expansion, NMIA is poised to emerge as a vital hub in India’s aviation landscape.